Postcard conversations

This exercise is to provoke thoughts about characterisation and relationships through dialogue. Often what is NOT said, or what is merely alluded to, will be as effective as more explicit references. (cf Alan Bennett's 'Talking Heads')

What you need:

A collection of postcards (about 50+ so there's choice)

Enough blank postcard shapes - card or paper

1. TALK FIRST: Writers pair up and decide on a postcard to discuss for 5 minutes.

First they look at it carefully and discuss what it shows:

look at the 'framing' - what might be just outside the frame, the detail - left/right/top/bottom,

what might the scene look like at other times

why might it have been taken - what is in the photographer's/publisher's mind

Second they discuss who might have bought it, whom they might have sent it to - and why - and when and where they wrote the short message.

2a. DISCUSS examples: Some writers may benefit from looking at some real examples - and some of the features of 'show not tell' or the oblique and coded messages that characterise communication between people who know each other well. There may be references to people and places, in questions or remarks, that indicate a network of relationships outside the text (Is the leg better? Will I see you on the 15th? Maisie's completely changed.)

2b. WRITE: Now each individual writer, with the shared picture still in front of them, takes a blank card/postcard-sized sheet of paper and writes a message to their partner. Each should try to incorporate an idea from the conversation and write for only 5 minutes.

3. READ and RESPOND: Now each writer 'receives' the postcard from their partner. However they have been 'positioned' as recipient, they should adopt the projected 'persona' and respond in character.

4. SHARE: What do the partnerships think of the relationship they have created through the postcards?

5. WRITE ON: Voices and feelings, characters and relationships, monologues and conversations may be suggested by this exercise. Let writers choose their own way of writing further.